Volleyball Drops PSAC-Opener Against Millersville, 3-1

Sept. 13, 2005

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Freshman Kelsi Hoffman (York, Pa./West York) tied a school record with 39 digs, but it was not enough as Millersville University pulled away with a 3-1 victory over the Shippensburg University volleyball team on Tuesday night at Heiges Field House. The Marauders won by game scores of 30-26, 29-31, 30-23, 30-19.

The matchup was between the top two teams in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division from a year ago as the Lady Raiders (7-6, 0-1 PSAC East) won the Eastern Division championship in 2004, advancing to the championship of the PSAC Tournament.

Hoffman tied the school record for digs set by current teammate, junior Missy Pierce (Valparaiso, Ind./West Aurora (IL)), set last season at West Chester University on October 19, 2004. Against Millersville, Pierce tallied 37 digs.

Despite the defensive play of Hoffman and Pierce, Shippensburg was not able to overcome 39 errors, over half of the Marauders (7-2, 1-0 PSAC East) kill total of 56.

Senior Michelle Doughty (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) led the offense with 12 kills, followed by 11 from Pierce, but she had an uncharacterstic performance, committing 12 errors. Freshman Maureen DuVall (Poolesville, Md./Poolesville) totaled 36 assists, 14 digs and seven kills while freshman Kelly Dirks (Enola, Pa./Cumberland Valley) and sophomore Mandy Taylor (Hanover, Pa./Southwestern) each added nine kills.

After Millersville won the first game, the Lady Raiders led for most of the second game, stretching its lead to as many as six at 22-16. However, the Marauders were able to tie the game at 24-24 and even pull to within one of game point.

Led by a service ace from Pierce, Shippensburg tied the game at 29-29 and won the final two points on a solo block by sophomore Katie Laux (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler Area) and a hitting error by Millersville.

In the third game, Shippensburg jumped out to an 11-6 lead before the Marauders came back to tie the game at 16-16. The Lady Raiders went back ahead by two, 20-18, but Millersville scored nine of the game's next 11 points to lead 27-22 before winning by seven.

The Lady Raiders had their best offensive output in game three, totaling 15 kills while only committing five errors.

The fourth game was almost all dominated by the Marauders as they built a 10-point lead, the last coming at 18-8. The closest Shippensburg would get after that would be nine points at 23-14 before Millersville went on to win by 11.

The Lady Raiders return to action on Saturday at Kutztown University. Game time is at 7:00 p.m.

- Lady Raider Volleyball -